MGM Grand Hotel Vegas One of the best hotels in Las Vegas

As seen on screen

The MGM Grand Hotel Vegas is not new to the Silver Screen having appeared in Ocean’s Eleven; Vegas Vacation and The Great White Hype. And fittingly the hotel has a classic theme of ‘Old Hollywood’ running throughout.

However, when we first clapped eyes on the green-tinted windows of the MGM Grand Las Vegas NV in 2003 we thought we’d been transported to the Emerald City. (How cool would that be!) We later found out that the Las Vegas MGM Hotel originally had a whole Wizard of Oz theme going on. It used to feature a yellow-brick road and lots of Wizard of Oz memorabilia but following a revamp, completed in 2000, the Oz references were removed.

The Cowardly Lion and co. were replaced by MGM Mascot, Leo the Lion. You’ll have a hard job to miss the great big 45 foot statue of Leo guarding the entrance to the hotel.

Leo the Lion

About the MGM Grand Las Vegas NV

When it opened in 1993 the MGM Grand Hotel Vegas was the largest hotel in the world, even now it’s still the second largest, based on a six acre site and boasting five swimming pools, three Jacuzzis, waterfalls and a lazy river in the grounds.

It’s really accessible with pedestrian walkway bridges which lead to
New York New York Vegas
and the Tropicana Hotel Vegas. We’ve trekked over these many times, especially when we were staying at the
Luxor Hotel Vegas.
You can get some great views of the Strip when you’re standing on the bridges.

Eating at the MGM Grand Hotel Vegas

There are 16 restaurants to choose from at the MGM Grand Hotel Vegas. You can get all types of cuisine from Italian, American, Steak, Fish and more. We’ve eaten at Studio Café a few times. It’s great for breakfast; they do a mean bowl of porridge but are well probably better known for their grand breakfast and eggs benedict. It's open from 6am and you can get take out if you'd rather take your food back to your hotel room.

If you really want to push the boat out and enjoy fresh seafood eat at Michael Mina's Mediterranean restaurant Seablue. If you're feeling flush finish your meal off with a Seablue Martini made from super-premium vodka and Beluga caviar which will set you back $275. The Seablue Martini's known to be one of the best martinis in Sin City; so if nothing but the best will do...

If you want the fine dining experience without the expensive price tag dine at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon which is a Michelin rated French restaurant that has a $49 menu, which is a great deal for a restaurant of this caliber on the Strip. You’d need to book a table if there are more than six in your party.

If you prefer more of a casual dining experience check out
the Rainforest Café Las Vegas
which is a spectacle in itself. We love eating here. Their buffalo wings are the best.

Sleeping

The MGM Hotel has more than 5,000 rooms which are pretty spacious and modern. If you want to be truly pampered stay at the MGM Signature Las Vegaswhich is a condo hotel, consisting of three towers, with its own private entrance. Each of the rooms has a Jacuzzi and pillow-topped beds! Heaven!

MGM Las Vegas at Christmas

Entertainment

The MGM Grand Las Vegas refers to itself as the City of Entertainment – and rightly so. You can’t go to Vegas without visiting this entertainment Mecca. There are so many attractions here many of which won’t cost you a penny.

For me one of the best is Las Vegas CBS Television City where you get to watch TV show pilots and rate them. I dragged my husband Martyn here when I couldn’t walk another step. We watched a pilot for a reality show about horses. Not that great but fun to sit there with the controller rating each scene and take a load off for an hour.

MGM Grand Lion Habitat

Another favourite of ours is the
MGM Grand Lion Habitat
which is also free of charge and you can get some really great views of the lions. You can also check out the CSI Experience or watch the Cirque du Soleil show KA (sometimes there are special offers available for this show – make sure to ask!)

To sample the nightlife visit the Tabu lounge or head over to the Studio 54 Las Vegas, which is a replica of the famed Studio 54 nightclub in New York containing four dance floors and bars though calls itself 'a wilder version of the legendary '70s club.'

And Wet Republic is definitely worth a visit. It’s so much more than just a pool, combining nightlife and relaxation, in true Vegas style. It features two saltwater pools, eight individual pools and spas, cabanas and VIP bungalows plus a 2,500 square foot open air lounge. You’re likely to spot celebrities here because as well as headlining events they also like to hang out at Wet Republic and it’s easy to see why!